Our pick

First to 5G

The V40 may not be everyone's first-choice flagship, but it's a really good phone that competes with top-end devices at a sub-$900 price. Sure it doesn't have 5G, but its price makes it a much better value proposition than the V50 — and you'll be able to choose (and change) your carrier because it's available unlocked.

Pros

Less expensive for effectively same experience

Available unlocked and to use with any carrier

Great screen

Cons

No future 5G capabilities

Less than stellar battery life

The V50 is a good phone, but it isn't substantially different from the V40. You get access to a 5G network, and a larger battery is always nice, but it also costs $300 more than the unlocked V40. Plus, you'll be limited to just Verizon or Sprint, and 5G isn't worth switching carriers for right now.

Pros

5G is ready for the future

20% larger battery

Great screen

Newer processor

Cons

Overpriced for what you get

Only available from Sprint and Verizon

Heavier than V40

The V40 and V50 are nearly identical

The LG V50 has a different name, but is nearly identical to the LG V40 released months earlier. It's built with the same materials, has the same-sized screen, and has the same specs other than four simple changes: a newer Snapdragon 855 processor, 5G radios, 128GB of storage and a larger 4000mAh battery.

Those changes lead to small increases in thickness and weight for the V50, though you won't particularly notice those on account of the V40's already thin and light hardware.

LG V40

LG V50

Operating system

Android 9 Pie

Android 9 Pie

Display

6.4-inch OLED, 3120x1440 (19.5:9)HDR10

6.4-inch OLED, 3120x1440 (19.5:9)HDR10

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

RAM

6GB

6GB

Storage

64GB

128GB

Expandable

MicroSD

MicroSD

Rear camera 1

12MP, 1.4-micron, OIS, f/1.5, 78-degree lens

12MP, 1.4-micron, OIS, f/1.5, 78-degree lens

Rear camera 2

16MP, 1-micron, f/1.9, 107-degree lens

16MP, 1-micron, f/1.9, 107-degree lens

Rear camera 3

12MP, 1-micron, f/2.4, 45-degree lens, 2X zoom

12MP, 1-micron, f/2.4, 45-degree lens, 2X zoom

Front camera 1

8MP, f/1.9, 80-degree lens

8MP, f/1.9, 80-degree lens

Front camera 2

5MP, f/2.2, 90-degree lens

5MP, f/2.2, 90-degree lens

Connectivity

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C

Audio

BoomBox speaker3.5mm headphone jack32-bit Quad DAC

BoomBox speaker3.5mm headphone jack32-bit Quad DAC

Battery

3300mAhNon-removable

4000mAhNon-removable

Charging

Quick Charge 3.0, Fast wireless charging

Quick Charge 3.0, Fast wireless charging

Water resistance

IP68

IP68

Security

Capacitive fingerprint sensor

Capacitive fingerprint sensor

Dimensions

158.8 x 75.7 x 7.6 mm169 g

158.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm183g

Being the "same" as the V40 definitely isn't a bad thing, and if you're comparing these two phones it means you're already drawn to the features and design that LG has to offer. But it's worth noting that the improvements in the V50 are minimal, even though it's listed with a different name that would indicate there's more of an upgrade at play.

How much do you want to pay for 5G?

With so much shared between the phones, the differentiator in this comparison is access to a 5G network — and the associated price and carrier restrictions associated with it.

Getting access to a small 5G network is not worth $300 more than the V40.

Considering the V50 is so similar to the V40 but with the potential to use 5G in the future, it would be a no-brainer to go for the V50 ... except for the fact that it's about $300 more. The V40 launched at a high price, but in the months since it's dropped considerably — and now it can be had for under $900, whereas the V50 is over $1100. That's a big price differential for a small improvement, and while the V40 is a fine value at about $850 its core tenets don't really stand up to the scrutiny placed on a phone that costs hundreds more.

In addition to the cost aspect, which is likely the most important for people, there are also carrier restrictions in place for the V50. You can only get the LG V50 from Sprint or Verizon, and at this point with the small size of 5G networks it isn't worth switching carriers in order to get this phone. If you use T-Mobile or AT&T, or a prepaid MVNO, you'll only be able to go with the V40 because it's available unlocked.

If you like what LG is offering in its high-end phones, we recommend you get the LG V40. It's hundreds of dollars less than the V50, and you won't miss the 5G capabilies — by the time the network matters, you'll be ready to upgrade to a new phone again.

Our pick

The V40 doesn't offer 5G connectivity, but its much lower price makes it a better value proposition. For about $850, the V40 is a good phone with high-end specs, a great screen and capable cameras. Plus, it can be had unlocked so you can choose (and change) your carrier as you see fit.

First to 5G

Hundreds more for a couple small changes and a network you may not have access to.

The V50 is a solid phone, because it's effectively the same as the V40. Yes you get access to a 5G network and a larger battery, but that's hardly worth the $300 extra it costs over the V40. And beyond that, you'll be limited to either Sprint or Verizon, which further complicates things for some people.

Andrew Martonik

Andrew is the Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central. He has been a mobile enthusiast since the Windows Mobile days, and covering all things Android-related with a unique perspective at AC since 2012. For suggestions and updates, you can reach him at andrew.martonik@androidcentral.com or on Twitter at @andrewmartonik.